Trenton, NJ-  The Elmira Jackals and Trenton Devils battled out the longest game in the history of the ECHL playoffs tonight at the Sovereign Bank Arena competing for 126 minutes and 10 seconds over three periods of regulation and four overtimes. Josh Aspenlind proved to be the hero in Elmira’s 5-4 marathon victory scoring 6:10 into the fourth overtime. Elmira goalie Michael Teslak turned away 71 shots in the contest while Trenton net minder Gerald Coleman turned away 65. Game two is set for tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. in Trenton.

 

The Jackals opened the 2009 Kelly Cup Playoff run with a Slavomir Tomko goal just 2:10 into the first period. Josh Aspenlind gave a perfect one time pass to Tomko who was waiting at the far blue line. The one timer beat Devils goalie Gerald Coleman high blocker. The Jackals killed off the first Trenton power play of the night but couldn’t hold off Tony Zancanaro who netted the game tying goal just nine seconds after the power play expired at the 8:26 mark. The Jackals would fire back with  a Pierre-Luc Faubert tally at the 12:09 mark. On a five on three power play, Jared Ross moved the puck to Paul McIlveen who found the open Faubert in the center slot. Faubert was denied by Coleman on the initial drive but buried the rebound. The Jackals didn’t wait long in extending the lead to 3-1. Pierre-Luc Faubert again got his rebound in the center slot and fired a shot past Coleman at the 16:44 mark of the first.  Chaz Johnson had the lone assist on the play. The Jackals finished the first period with a 3-1 lead and a 13-9 shot advantage.

 

The second period featured the goaltender match up that everyone expected. Elmira keeper Michael Teslak turned away 11 Trenton shots while Gerald Coleman was equal to all 15 Elmira blasts. The Devils netted the only goal of the middle period 5:25 in. On the power play Trevor Kell  banged home a tic-tac-toe goal on the back doorstep from Eric Castonguay and Ryan Gunderson. The Jackals looked to have advanced the lead to 4-2 at the 16:41 mark when Chaz Johnson beat Gerald Coleman high glove but the play was unaccredited due to a Chris Korchinski roughing call. The second frame ended at 3-2 Elmira with the shots at 28-21 Jackals.

The Devils came out swinging and tied the game at 3-3 just 1:53 into the third period. Dan Eves beat Michael Teslak off the blocker on a one on against Guillaume Lepine. The Devils then took their first lead of the game at the 10:52 mark. Jeff Prough and Ryan Gunderson set up Tony Zancanaro for the Devils fourth of the game. The Jackals pressured for the remainder of the contest and again had a goal waived off with 1:10 to play in the game.  Chaz Johnson crashed in on goaltender Gerald Coleman and knocked his helmet free, Faubert took the rebound and fired it into the open net. The goal was disallowed. The Jackals took the time that the officials took to discuss the goal to set a play. The set play worked when Chris Korchinski tipped a Josh Aspenlind shot with 1:01 left in regulation to tie the game at 4-4.

 

As predicted the series would be full of fireworks. The first overtime fireworks would come from Elmira net minder Michael Teslak who turned away all 18 Trenton shots. Teslak made the save of the game midway through the first extra frame when Trevor Kell put a shot on goal that Teslak dove across the crease and stopped with the paddle of his goal stick. Entering the second overtime the shots sat at 50-49 Elmira.

 

The second overtime was again dominated by the Trenton Devils with a 14-5 shot advantage. The Jackals killed off a Trenton power play 9:52 in. The Jackals were again led by superb goaltending from Michael Teslak who made the save of the game on a Brad Snettsinger breakaway midway through the second overtime.

 

The third overtime was played very close with the shots at 8-8. Like a game of chess, the contest was played with strategy with neither team taking any major chances or making any mistakes.

 

Entering the fourth overtime the Jackals and Devils approached the longest game in the history of the ECHL playoffs mark. On May 5th 2000,  Greenville and Louisiana skated for 121:24 before the Greenville Growl netted the 3-2 game winner. In tonight’s contest it would take 6:10 of the fourth overtime to decide the winner. Colton Yellow Horn picked the puck up at natural ice and skated it into the offensive zone. Yellow Horn then sent a pass to the far blue line where Wes Cunningham caught the pass and  skated towards the top of the circle on Coleman’s glove side. Cunningham unleashed a shot that was stopped with the right pad of Coleman only to have Josh Aspenlind fire home the rebound into the open net for the 5-4 win.

 

The Jackals lead the best of seven series 1-0 and play game two at Trenton tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. Listen Live: Don’t miss a second of the Jackals Kelly Cup Playoff run. Join Nick Hulberg the Voice of the Jackals on 99.5 WOKN Elmira, 102.5 in Corning, WVIN 98.3 Bath and at www.jackalshockey.com for all the post season play by play. The Hill Top Inn Countdown to Face Off starts at 6:40 p.m.

 

BE THERE: Get your tickets now for the Jackals home ice contests at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15th, and Thursday April 16th and the “If Necessary” contest on Saturday, April 18th at 7:35 p.m. Tickets are available at the First Arena Box Office, by calling (607)734-PUCK or by visiting  www.ticketmaster.com. 

 

TNA:  Weiss Construction and Snap Fitness of Horseheads present: TNA Wrestling at  First Arena on Friday, April 17th at 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss the no holds barred, non stop excitement! Tickets are on sale now at the First Arena Box office, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 734-PUCK.

 

SHRINERS CIRCUS: All of the excitement of the Shriners Circus comes to First Arena on Tuesday May 5th at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. More information coming soon!

 

TICKETS: Get your tickets now for all Jackals hockey action and other upcoming events at First Arena by calling 734-PUCK, login onto  www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the First Arena Box office.                     

 

JACKALS HOCKEY….. IN IT TO WIN IT!!